The Great Wall Preservation and Sustainable Rural Development | DWC-01-26 | 2026-07-03 - 2026-07-14 | CULT,STUD,RENO | Age: 18 - 99

The Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture had conducted many surveys and long-term protection projects on the Great Wall with its students and the local community of Cuandixia Village since the 1990s. Past projects include assisting the village to create a cultural and creative map, as well as design logo to promote sustainable tourism. Working hand-in-hand with local NGOs, students also assisted in the monitoring and preservation work of the Great Wall through developing programs and using drones to monitor and record the Wall’s condition. Currently, the university is collaborating with the municipal government of Mentougou District to establish a “rural revitalization lab,” which will focus on the transmission of cultural heritage.

Work: • Great Wall Comprehensive Protection Technology Experience: Volunteers will gain knowledge and hands-on skills (regular wall inspection and monitoring work) from local NGO/ university experts about current condition and preservation work/effort on the Great Wall. Volunteers will also assist in the basic maintenance of a target wall section and create two databases (characteristics and defects) to record the condition of the wall. -Maintenance and Cleaning the Great Wall (dirt, unblocking drains, etc.) -Experiential Learning: learn the traditional mortar mixing -Digital Technology: experience and learn about oblique photogrammetry in 3D modeling with aerial drone • Site Conservation and Ecological Protection of the Green Areas Around the Great Wall: Volunteers will help clean up specific green areas and create local plant specimens and simple identification guides. Together with local villagers, they will understand the crucial role of plants in soil stabilization, erosion prevention, and heritage site landscape maintenance. -Ecological Maintenance: Remove invasive alien plants and replant native species -Cognitive Recording: Collect and prepare plant specimens, and create ecological maps. Volunteers will cultivate and understand about the unique plants at the foot of the Great Wall -Creating cultural/guidance/educational signs or landmarks • Innovative Handicraft Workshop on Intangible Cultural Heritage: Volunteers will learn a local intangible cultural heritage craft (such as paper cutting, knotting, or traditional food preparation). Then they will design and create themed-cultural and creative artwork in groups. • Share the World/Cultural Heritage and culture of your country with the local people in creative and interactive ways • Make promotional materials (video, knowledge manuals, history pamphlet, postcards, etc.) about the Great Wall together with other volunteers to share about its social background, history, local culture, and sustainable architecture • Interact with local villagers through cultural activities • Participate in discussion on ideas on world heritage preservation and sustainable building structures whether they are from your country or from others

Accomodation and food: Workcampers will be staying in a local village hostel or at local villagers’ home. The housing facilities are basic and squat toilets are the norms in villages in China. Participants will receive food supplies and will be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Please note the food provided will be based on availability in the village so the variety of fruits and vegetables may not be as abundant as in big city.

Location: Beijing, China

Location and Leisure: Cuandixia village, with its panoramic viewpoints of mountains and its ancient architect of courtyard houses and temples, has a lot to explore on its own. Visitors can enjoy the surrounding mountains and hike around the village. About a mile uphill past the village is a natural scenic spot call Yixiantian or the Thread of the Sky – a classic backdrop in Chinese movies. Of course, there are also all the other historical sites like the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven in Beijing worth visiting as well!

Airport: PEK

Train/Bus station: Pinguoyuan Station (苹果园) - Beijing Subway Station

Requirements: Volunteers should be motivated and willing to proactively interact with villagers. Please be open-minded to village culture, living conditions and limited food variety in the village.

Pinguoyuan Station (苹果园) on July 3rd (Friday) at 2PM

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 3000 CNY